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14 February 2013

Review: Chanel CC Cream & Beauty Pod

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I know I'm way overdue for a My Current Favourites post, but I really wanted to do a review of the Chanel CC cream first because it's slowly making its way into one of my current favourite foundations.

I say slowly because I have had problems (which I will go into detail later) with this Chanel CC cream, but as I figure out solutions to fix these problems, I'm loving this CC cream more and more.

I bought my rather expensive Chanel CC Cream from eBay for about USD$64, which I thought was a fair price - not so cheap that you really question the authenticity of the product and not so bank breaking expensive. It certainly looks genuine - the tube, the box it comes in, the little information booklet.

The little information booklet explains what a CC cream is, the benefits and how to apply it. I'm just going to plagarize type out the information here, as it'll explain everything better than I could ever have.

"With its double CHANEL signature, CC Cream combines the benefits of a complete skincare product created by CHANEL Research and the results of a natural complexion finish created by the Makeup Studio. Backed by true expertise regarding the precise needs of Asian women in terms of flawless skin, CHANEL Research developed a specific cream, a fusion of skincare and makeup.In addition to being an ideal cream for day-long confidence, CC Cream gives your skin what it alone can offer: a fresh and flawless complexion.This skincare formula is adapted to sensitive skin. It delivers complete correction and long-wear makeup with a lightweight, non-oily texture.

Soothes: Cornflower water comforts sensitive skin.

Moisturizes: Hyaluronic acid helps maintain hydration levels all day long by trapping and retaining moisture inside the skin.

Protects: SPF30 and PA+++ sun filters block aging-accelerating UVA-UVB rays. The cream is formulated with a mineral filter for higher tolerance on the skin.

Prevents: The Rejuvencia active ingredient of natural origin, derived from marine-organism, is the best prevention shield against external aggressions.

Evens out imperfections: redness, dark spots and pores are visibly diminished. The complexion is lastingly fresh and natural."

I've interpreted the claims that Chanel has made on the CC Cream, as something that has the properties of a BB cream but has a medium-high coverage because they say that "it delivers complete correction". I found this to be untrue, as I still needed a concealer to cover up acne scars. I would consider the CC cream to be more of a light coverage.

Unfortunately, I don't have sensitive skin nor have problems with moisture retention, as my skin is classified as oily-combination.

I haven't been exposed to much sun (or "external aggressions") lately either, so can't really say much about the protection and prevention properties of this CC cream .

Unblended

I'm not sure why but Chanel has only released this in one shade - 20
Beige. Maybe because since it's developed for the needs of Asian women,
they think all Asian women have the same skin tone?

The main, annoying problem I have with this CC cream is that it dries so ridiculously fast, resulting in me having problems with blending (I use my fingers). I found that if I tried to blend when it's dry, the CC cream will roll off my face like little hay bales (or should I say CC cream bales?). I have found two solutions to this problem though...

Mixing it with another foundation. I've been using it with YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation in shade BD20 - 50% YSL and 50% Chanel. Although the Touche Eclat foundation dries really fast too, I found that combining the two makes the Chanel CC cream so much more workable, as it gives me a bit more time to blend before it sets completely. My face makeup does not budge until I remove it at night with a makeup remover wipe. Although I still do have to use a concealer to cover up scars, after applying a mixture of these two products. Coverage wise, I'd have to rank this amazing mixture a medium.

The second solution that I've found and only just tried today was...

applying it with a Beauty Pod. The beauty pod is really similar to the cult product, Beauty Blender. If you've been living in a cave, and have never heard of the Beauty Blender, it's a makeup sponge applicator that looks like the Beauty Pod. You're meant to dampen the sponge with water, squeeze out excess and then apply foundation to the sponge and gently pat it on your face. The result is a flawless, non-streaky finish.

Anyway, I purchased three of these beauty pods and they came in the mail this morning because all the reviews I've read say that it is basically the same non-latex sponge but with the hexy price tag attached. It doesn't come with any cleansing liquids though, but the instructions say to clean it with warm soapy water.

Going back to the review of Chanel's CC cream, I found that the beauty pod is amazing at applying the CC cream. I guess it's because it mixes the CC cream with a bit of water, and so it doesn't dry as quickly, allowing you to blend it out properly. However, I have used about twice the amount of foundation with the use of the Beauty Pod. Besides that, the other con about using the Beauty Pod is having to wash the damn thing after each use. If you're like me and are usually in a rush to slap makeup on your face and run out the door, I don't think the Beauty Pod is a viable solution... BUT it does work.

The CC cream has a pleasant perfumey (I'm thinking floral) smell, and it is quite strong but not enough to bother me... in fact I kind of like it.

So to conclude, these are the pros:

I really like that the Chanel CC cream lasts all day and sets itself (although a bit too quickly). Despite it setting itself, I still like to smother a crap load dust a little bit of powder over the top (out of habit).

I also like the feeling of applying something so luxurious on my face everyday (I'm a bit of a brand snob). Especially since I can't afford any Chanel apparel.

Like the smell of it as well.

Non-comedogenic - doesn't break me out.

Cons:

Sets a bit too quickly.

Price tag attached to this CC Cream.

Hard to get, as it's only currently available in selected Asian countries.

Only one shade available.

The big question... Would I repurchase? I probably would not even though it's becoming one of my favourite foundations, there are too many foundations out there that I'd love to try and it's a bit too expensive to have to keep repurchasing every 2-3 months, since I have to use it with either another foundation or a beauty pod.

I'm sorry that this review is all over the place, but if you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

9 comments:

Great review! I found the same thing with the heavy texture. I found the best way for me to apply it is straight after my moisturiser before it's totally sunk in and by patting the CC cream in with my fingers.

Also I find the finish and longevity similar to my Bobbi Brown BB cream, but the Bobbi Brown is much thinner and easier to apply - sacrificing a bit of coverage. Just in case you were looking for an alternative! :)

I normally do Toner, Moisturizer, Mattifier, Primer, UD De-Slick Spray, CC-Cream. If I apply the CC cream straight after the De-Slick Spray, it doesn't blend too well, and I end up with streaks. But if I wait too long, I get the blending problem...

I haven't tried patting the cream in but I will do tomorrow! Thanks for the tip!

I don't use my beautyblenders because they're fussy like the beauty pods. It's such a waste of time to constantly be washing them in the morning so I just save them for when my brushes all get messy and there's nothing else to use :P Although you could probably use one side then flip it over and use the other side